'It's stupid' - Pundit destroys Everton star as footage emerges from October

Everton defender James Tarkowski has been slammed by Michael Ball for his exploits against Newcastle on 5 October.

Having assessed the footage of the incident, the former defender found what the centre-back did “stupid” as he conceded a penalty.

Anthony Gordon missed the resulting spot kick or else the hosts would’ve got nothing from the game at Goodison Park which ended 0-0.

Ball told the Liverpool Echo: “We were scratching our heads when it was first given, wondering what had happened. We’ve been told that other ones that haven’t been awarded are because they didn’t really impact on the play and I’m of a similar mindset in that the shot went over and Sandro Tonali wasn’t going to get it so it shouldn’t really matter.

“However, when you see it on the replay, you wonder why James Tarkowski has done what he’s done because it’s stupid. Yes, you want to show the opposition that you’re strong but he was too busy trying to win a wrestling match and wasn’t going to get the ball.

“He’s given VAR an opportunity to make a decision and that’s not the first time I’ve seen him do that. He needs to eradicate that from his game because we know if that penalty goes in then Everton are going to struggle.”

James Tarkowski lets his Everton teammates down v Newcastle

His decision to engage Tonali physically inside the box, leading to a penalty, was not just a tactical error but a lapse in judgment unbecoming of his experience.

The incident exemplifies a fundamental mistake in football where the risk far outweighs any potential benefit.

Tarkowski, known for his robust defending, overstepped by initiating contact that was unnecessary, especially since the ball was not in immediate danger of being played by Tonali.

This action handed Newcastle a clear scoring opportunity from a penalty kick, which, had it been converted, could have significantly altered the game’s outcome.

For a player with Tarkowski’s pedigree, there was an amateur error that he should’ve never have made in the first place.

His experience should have guided him towards a more strategic approach, focusing on positioning and intercepting rather than engaging in a wrestle.

In other Everton news, an award-winning manager has expressed an interest in managing the Toffees, leaving Dan Friedkin with a huge decision to make.

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